Page 14 of The Matchmaker Meets her Duke
“Pandora!” said Emmett in a disbelieving tone. But Pandora was resolute. She pushed back the blankets, ignoring how his eyes moved over her body and stood. Her arm trembled as she pointed toward the door without a word.
Emmett stared at her for a moment that stretched into eternity. At last he frowned and pushed himself out of the bed. Pandora averted her eyes to avoid seeing too much of his body. But what she did see was firm and well-muscled. The quick glance did strange things to her stomach, but she refused to be swayed by her body’s needs.
Pandora watched as the bed curtains swallowed him, and waited as his footsteps crossed to her door, which slammed behind him.
ChapterEight
The night passed slowly for Emmett in his large, empty master bedchamber. His bed was cold and his body colder. The sight of Pandora within arm’s reach, lips begging to be kissed, curves begging to be touched, had left him restless and unfulfilled. He took matters into his own hands, of course, finding his pleasure alone, but it was hardly how he expected to spend his marriage night.
Emmett sighed and tossed his blankets back when the valet, Sims, arrived to get him ready for the day. A maid had already been in to light the fire, taking off the worst of the chill, but it was still a relief for Sims to help him into a deep red, heavy morning robe.
“Sims, what news?” said Emmett as Sims tied the robe. The aged valet bowed his head in thought. Emmett had inherited him from his father, and he hadn’t the heart to replace the man. Perhaps in a few years, Sims had been slowing down lately.
“The weather is clear, Your Grace, not a cloud in the sky. You’ve received several letters already, no doubt congratulations on the nuptials. I hope marriage is treating you well.” The last was said with a sly side glance and Emmett resisted the urge to groan. So his failure with Pandora last night was common knowledge. What luck. No matter, tonight would be different.
“I’ll take the letters with breakfast,” said Emmett as he shook off Sims’ hands and crossed toward the door.
“Yes, Your Grace,” replied Sims as he bent to pick up Emmett’s nightshirt. Emmett left the man to his work and made his way downstairs to the dining room. The halls of his Manor were quiet and empty, as they had been for years, and as he expected them to be for decades to come. Of course, a child would liven things up, but that is what the nursery on the third floor was for.
He sighed. It was his every intention to continue to attend the Clubs with Ashton, but he couldn’t deny that his life had changed in a fundamental way, and would continue to change. His grandmother was already seated at the head of the table when he arrived downstairs, and he took his place at the other end of the table with a bow of his head.
“Good morning, Grandmother,” said Emmett with a smile.
Agatha snorted. “What’s good about it? From what the servants are saying, you had a long night last night.” Emmett flinched and tried not to look at the footman pouring his tea. Did everyone know? Might as well accept the fact.
“Speaking of Pandora,” said Emmett, “I see she has yet to arrive. Is she sleeping late?”
“Yes, no thanks to you. You have a duty to produce an heir, my boy.” Emmett speared a sausage from a nearby plate and took a bite to avoid answering. Agatha gave him a hard look, all too knowing.
“You know, it wasn’t easy for myself and your grandfather. It takes time to get to know a person.” Emmett blushed and looked out the window. As Sims had said, the day was clear and bright, unmarred by rain or darkness. Unlike the dining room, which seemed to grow dimmer with every word his grandmother spoke.
“I appreciate the advice, Grandmother, but–”
“But nothing! You listen to me, Emmett,” said Agatha. The use of his given name brought Emmett’s head up in a jerk, and the sausage fell from his fork to his plate. “You need to woo her. Be gentle with her. This is difficult for a bride.”
Emmett reached for a piece of bread. “I’m not sure this is an appropriate breakfast conversation, Grandmother.”
Agatha sniffed and took a sip of tea. “It is appropriate if I say it is appropriate. And you aren’t listening to me. Why does no one ever listen to me?”
“I’m listening! I’m just not sure I want to hear what you have to say on this topic.”
“Which of us has the most experience in this realm?” said Agatha in a tight voice.
Emmett sighed as he buttered his bread. “You do, naturally.”
“So listen to me when I say you need to woo her! Take her for a ride around the Estate, or to the theater. Be romantic.”
This time he couldn’t stop the groan that fell from his lips. “Grandmother, I’m not trying to make her fall in love with me.”
“And why not? She is a pretty girl, intelligent, and well-connected. You might find it suits you.”
Emmett barked a laugh. “This is an impossibility. Love has no room in marriage, Grandmother.”
Agatha’s face softened. “Love may not be a guarantee, but it is certainly something to strive toward. But never mind. Eat your breakfast, you are far too thin.”
Emmett rolled his eyes when Agatha looked away and took another bite of sausage and reached for the morning paper.Time to see what the gossips say this morning. There was the usual news of thefts and scandals, but he noted with pleasure that Lady Datura’s column was nowhere to be seen. No doubt because she had been too busy getting married this past week.
He took a gulp of his tea as he continued to read. There was a new production ofThe Devil to Paystarting at his favorite theater, perhaps he’d take his grandmother’s advice. But before he could formulate a proper plan to invite her, Barton appeared at the door and bowed.
